Canal+: “It can be fixed” says Bolloré

Vivendi boss Vincent Bolloré has given a very rare interview to French business newspaper Les Echos, and makes it clear that the Canal Plus premium channel can be saved and was a priority for Vivendi. He said: “Canal Plus will be fixed provided our current agreement with (beIN Sport) is accepted and efficiency measures (within the channel and Group) are implemented.”

According to equity analysts at Exane/BNP-Paribas, he then amplified his views, saying: “Canal went through a reckoning phase last year, then a new team was put in place, and we know which direction to take. It will be a long term process, but the worst is behind.”

Less free available content (a unique feature of Canal, not found anywhere else in the world) to make the pay offer more attractive. For instance Canal could start broadcasting a soccer game for free and then move it to the pay window. other existing content on the free window of Canal+ could be transferred to the FTA channels.

Bolloré confirmed last week’s report that news channel i>Télé is not for sale.